WHAT IS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY?

In the 1960s and 1970s, the term information technology (IT) was a little known phrase that was used by those who worked in places like banks and hospitals to describe the processes they used to store information.

It defines an industry that uses computers, networking, software programming, and other equipment and processes to store, process, retrieve, transmit, and protect information. In the early days of computer development, there was no such thing as a college degree in IT. Software development and computer were best left to the computer scientists and mathematical engineers, due to their complicated nature. As time passed and technology advanced, such as with the advent of the personal computer in the 1980s and its everyday use in the home and the workplace, the world moved into the information age.

By the early 21st century, nearly every child in the Western world, and many in other parts of the world, knew how to use a personal compute

HISTORY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The history of IT can go back to 1957 when Jean Hoerni developed the first planar transistor. This device made it possible to have integrated circuits, which were created the following year. During the following years, much advancement has taken place to make the IT field the thriving force that it is today.

ARPANET

The U.S. Department of Defense created the first adaptation of the Internet called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency NETwork) in the 1960s. At the time, it was intended only for the government, research, university and scientific computers.

J.C.R. Licklider

Ideas of spreading ARPANET into a worldwide connection of computers for social interactions started with a researcher named J.C.R. Licklinder of MIT in 1962. He wrote a series of memos stating his "Galactic Network" idea.

UNIX

In 1969, the first UNIX operating system was developed. Engineers at AT&T, Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie, are credited for creating the first operating system that worked on minicomputers.

Microprocessor Chip

The first microprocessor chip was created by Andrew Grove, Gordon Moore and Robert Noyce in 1968. The three started Intel to manufacture and sell the chips.

Radio Shack

Radio Shack started selling personal computers in 1977. The units were pre-built with a built-in keyboard.

Apple

In 1977, the Apple II computer was available. Coming with a floppy

disk drive installed, the new computers started to make their way into classrooms.

Some Advantages of IT

Globalization - IT has not only brought the world closer together, but it has allowed the world's economy to become a single interdependent system.

Communication - With the help of information technology, communication has also become cheaper, quicker, and more efficient. We can now communicate with anyone around the globe by simply text messaging them or sending them an email for an almost instantaneous response.

Cost effectiveness - Information technology has helped to computerize the business process thus streamlining businesses to make them extremely cost effective money making machines. This in turn increases productivity which ultimately gives rise to profits that means better pay and less strenuous working conditions.

Bridging the cultural gap - Information technology has helped to bridge the cultural gap by helping people from different cultures to communicate with one another, and allow for the exchange of views and ideas, thus increasing awareness and reducing prejudice.

More time - IT has made it possible for businesses to be open 24 x7 all over the globe. This means that a business can be open anytime anywhere, making purchases from different countries easier and more convenient. It also means that you can have your goods delivered right to your doorstep with having to move a single muscle.

Creation of new jobs - Probably the best advantage of information technology is the creation of new and interesting jobs. Computer programmers, Systems analyzers, Hardware and Software developers and Web designers are just some of the many new employment opportunities created with the help of IT.

Some Disadvantages of IT

Unemployment - While information technology may have streamlined the business process it has also crated job redundancies, downsizing and outsourcing. This means that a lot of lower and middle level jobs have been done away with causing more people to become unemployed.

Privacy - Though information technology may have made communication quicker, easier and more convenient, it has also bought along privacy issues. From cell phone signal interceptions to email hacking, people are now worried about their once private information becoming public knowledge.

Lack of job security - Industry experts believe that the internet has made job security a big issue as since technology keeps on changing with each day. This means that one has to be in a constant learning mode, if he or she wishes for their job to be secure.

Dominant culture - While information technology may have made the world a global village, it has also contributed to one culture dominating another weaker one. For example it is now argued that US influences how most young teenagers all over the world now act, dress and behave. Languages too have become overshadowed, with English becoming the primary mode of communication for business and everything else.

BELOW ARE EXAMPLE OF USAGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Many people warn of the possible harmful effects of using technology in the classroom. Will children lose their ability to relate to other human beings? Will they become dependent on technology to learn? Will they find inappropriate materials? The same was probably said with the invention of the printing press, radio, and television. All of these can be used inappropriately, but all of them have given humanity unbounded access to information which can be turned into knowledge. Appropriately used-- interactively and with guidance-- they have become tools for the development of higher order thinking skills

Information technology security is controlling access to sensitive electronic information so only those with a legitimate need to access it are allowed to do so. This seemingly simple task has become a very complex process with systems that need to be continually updated and processes that need to constantly be reviewed. There are three main objectives for information technology security: confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

Technology hasn't simply advanced over the last decade, it has erupted! Devices like the iPhone, iPod touch and the new iPad have given techies, as well as everyday consumers, something to talk about. The picture shows a conference through ipad.

THE IMPORTANCE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

• In businesses, information technology plays a major role in the management and upkeep of huge amounts of information. It helps in creating information as well as aids in information exchange. Due to this, businesses can work with their clients in any part of the world, as though they were in the same building.
• In the field of medicine, information technology plays a major role in various diagnostic procedures such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), scans, and other tools used to diagnose major conditions. These days, there are computer-aided surgeries that are being performed as well.
• In the fields of science and engineering, information technology plays an important role in the collection and exchange of demographic data, weather reports, behavioral sciences and numerous other areas where automation and quick work is needed.
• Information technology has contributed to various security systems for homes as well as businesses, to a large extent. More complex security systems are being used in the cases of government agencies and military bases.
• GPS or Global Positioning System is one facet of information technology that is fast catching up with more and more people these days. Using this technology, people can not only track out travel routes, but can also recover stolen items, such as cars, mobile phones, etc.
• Information technology is extremely important to the entertainment sector. Numerous special effects, graphical additions and innovative multimedia applications are being used these days in movies. All this has been made possible because of information technology.
• Communication has become much easier, and the world is a much smaller place, thanks to information technology

Green IT is the study and practice of using computing resources efficiently. It is known for its broader, economy-wide capacity for energy saving and potential to effect rapid and profound change across every facet of government, industry and consumers.

The goals of green computing are similar to green chemistry; reduce the use of hazardous materials, maximize energy efficiency during the product's lifetime, and promote the recyclability or biodegradability of defunct products and factory waste. Research continues into key areas such as making the use of computers as energy-efficient as possible, and designing algorithms and systems for efficiency-related computer technologies.

Revolution of Infomation Technology